Carpenter salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Carpenters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $70,990 a year ($34.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,550 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $60,580. Pay here is 17% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $60,840. There are 5.4 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| Median | $70,990 | $34.13 |
| 75th percentile | $92,100 | $44.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Average (mean) | $71,600 | $34.42 |
Half of carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,957.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,730.38 |
| Weekly | $1,365.19 |
| Hourly | $34.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kankakee, IL | $95,280 | 120 |
| Decatur, IL | $87,220 | 180 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,440 | 14,220 |
| Springfield, IL | $76,970 | 290 |
| Bloomington, IL | $75,470 | 170 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,280 | 780 |
| Rockford, IL | $72,770 | 810 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $66,980 | 310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $63,740 | 180 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $61,810 | 4,540 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,440 | 670 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $60,150 | 220 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $57,030 | 430 |
| Columbia, MO | $56,160 | 510 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,000 | 920 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $51,700 | 310 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $48,540 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 |
| Illinois | $79,000 |
| California | $75,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| Washington | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $73,860 |
| New York | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 |
See Carpenter pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Electrician | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| Roofer | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $77,490 | $37.26 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| Insulation Workers, Mechanical | $79,240 | $38.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $76,800 | $36.93 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $71,730 | $34.48 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for carpenters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $70,990 a year, or $34.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of carpenters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $99,550 a year. The top 25% earn $92,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,000 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $52,660 or less.
How many carpenters work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 7,210 carpenters are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.